Located right in the heart of downtown Portland, the 30-acre park is one of Portland’s most visited spaces. APA singled out Waterfront Park for its design and features, history, and high level of community support and use.

The park draws hundreds of daily visitors for recreation and relaxation. Thousands more flock to its many outdoor festivals. The park’s vast lawns are currently undergoing turf restoration to improve drainage and grass.

Waterfront Park is also an important link in the 40-Mile Loop, an idea from the Olmsted Brothers, who proposed at the turn of the 20th century to ring the city with interconnected greenways. Once completed, the 40-mile Loop will actually be 140 miles long, connecting more than 30 parks.